Scientists’ understanding of viruses has advanced greatly in the last fifty years. Which statements give evidence to support the classification of viruses as nonliving?

Question

Responses

Viruses have their own genetic material.
Viruses have their own genetic material.

Viruses are made up of proteins, nucleic acids, and sometimes lipids.
Viruses are made up of proteins, nucleic acids, and sometimes lipids.

Viruses must infect living host cells in order to reproduce.
Viruses must infect living host cells in order to reproduce.

Viruses often mutate to evade the immune system.

Answer 1

The statement that best supports the classification of viruses as nonliving is:

Viruses must infect living host cells in order to reproduce.

This statement highlights that viruses cannot carry out the processes of life, such as reproduction, independently. Instead, they rely on the machinery of a living host cell to replicate, which is a key reason why they are considered nonliving entities.

The other statements indicate characteristics of viruses, but having genetic material, being made of proteins and nucleic acids, and mutating do not, by themselves, support the classification of viruses as nonliving.